MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tony Allen is solidifying his reputation one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders.
Former teammate O.J. Mayo already knew that, but got a firsthand look at what Allen can do to a team’s leading scorer in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 92-82 victory over Dallas on Friday night.
Mayo, who entered the game averaging 20.2 points, managed only a free throw in the first half, ended the night shooting three of 11 from the field and scored 10 points. Wednesday night, Allen held Milwaukee scoring leader Monta Ellis to a single field goal on 14 attempts.
“I treat it as a regular opponent as if he was a Kobe or a LeBron or what have you," Allen said about his mindset against Mayo. “I just treated it regular and studied him. ... I sat here quiet. Didn’t really talk to my teammates before the game. I was just focused at doing the task at hand because he’d been on fire."
Rudy Gay scored 26 points, and Zach Randolph had 17 points and 13 rebounds to help the Grizzlies win their fourth straight game. Marc Gasol added 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Allen finished with 10 points.
Mike Conley had 11 assists to become the franchise leader with 2,079. He surpassed Jason Williams, who had 2,069, with 7:54 left in the first quarter on an alley-oop pass to Gay.
Shawn Marion and Vince Carter led the Mavericks with 14 points apiece, and Marion also had 11 rebounds. Dominique Jones had 13 points and seven assists, and Brandan Wright added 12 points.
Mayo, who played his first four years for the Grizzlies before signing with Dallas in the offseason, was the focus of the Grizzlies’ defensive approach. Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said the game plan was to make sure Allen had Mayo throughout. Hollins said he didn’t want Mayo to get on track to help carry the Mavericks.
Also on Friday:
Clippers 97
Kings 85
LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul had 24 points and 13 assists to help Los Angeles break a 38-year-old franchise record with their 12th consecutive victory.
Warriors 115
Bobcats 100
OAKLAND, Calif. — David Lee had 23 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists, Stephen Curry set a career high with eight 3-pointers and Golden State extended Charlotte’s losing streak to 14 games.
Bulls 110
Knicks 106
NEW YORK — Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and three others were thrown out of a foul-filled game, and Chicago beat New York for the second time this season.
76ers 99
Hawks 80
PHILADELPHIA — Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Evan Turner scored 21 points to help Philadelphia top Atlanta.
Bucks 99
Celtics 94
BOSTON — Monta Ellis scored five of his 27 points in overtime, and Milwaukee beat Boston after blowing a seven-point lead late in regulation.
Pacers 99
Cavaliers 89
CLEVELAND — Roy Hibbert scored 18 points, and Lance Stephenson added a season-high 16 to lead Indiana over Cleveland, which lost its sixth straight game.
Pistons 100
Wizards 68
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Greg Monroe had 15 points and nine rebounds, rookie Andre Drummond added a double-double, and Detroit ended a six-game losing streak with a rout.
Raptors 93
Magic 90
TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan scored 17 points, Jose Calderon had 13 points and nine assists, and Toronto won its fifth straight game, beating Orlando.
Spurs 99
Hornets 94
SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker scored 25 points, Tim Duncan added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and San Antonio beat New Orleans.